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Key of Life (Kagi-dorob˘ no mesoddo)

Year: 2012Country: JAPANRun Time: 128 minutes

In this comical farce from Japan, the lives of three people intertwine thanks to a knock on the head. Takeshi is an out-of-work actor at the end of his rope – literally. Kondo is a contract killer with ice flowing through his veins. But when he slips and loses his memory, his identity is taken over by Takeshi who must now play the most important role of his life: Kondo the Killer. Kanae is a beautiful career woman who has her wedding planned and ready to go. She just needs a groom. Living as Kondo is fun for Takeshi who enjoys the fast life, but Kondo is struggling to get by as Takeshi. Thanks to Kanae's help, Kondo learns he has quite the knack for playing a loser actor who, only days before, tried to kill himself. With all the classic farcical elements, KEY OF LIFE's crisis of identity plays out in hilarious fashion just as Takeshi finds he must actually try to kill someone other than himself, and Kondo's memory begins to return. Funny, sweet, and charming, KEY OF LIFE is another great screwball comedy from one of Japan's best. (In Japanese with subtitles) – T.W.

Director Bio
Japanese-born Kenji Uchida studied cinema at San Francisco State University. He's won numerous awards for directing and screenwriting including three at the Cannes Film Festival in 2005 for "A Stranger of Mine."